This disc is the companion volume to the one I reviewed
earlier this year and, as such, contains more excellent performances
from the young Ella Fitzgerald. Her voice is still possessed of that
girlish quality which lent an added attraction to her work from these
years but she is already an accomplished performer in her use of clear
diction and careful timing and the subtle nuances in her phrasing.
There is a certain feeling of joy which permeates even the most trite
numbers on this compilation.

The selections are an interesting mixture. There
are the formulaic novelty songs such as "I Found My Yellow Basket
" which is obviously designed as a follow up to the successful "A-Tisket,
A-Tasket." " Organ Grinder's Swing" is a risqué bluesy tune
that has been performed many times before and since, usually by much
more earthy vocalists. The real source of delight to be found here
is in Miss Fitzgerald's intelligent readings of such classic standards
as "Don't Worry 'Bout Me" and "All Or Nothing At All". Possibly there
are too many novelty numbers here for my personal taste, but it must
be remembered that these pieces were meant to be listened to separately
and not in an album format.

The accompanying musicians were obviously amongst
the best on the scene when these records were made and there is much
slick section work to be heard along with highly pertinent and effective
soloing. This is a must for the Ella Fitzgerald follower and is quite
a reasonable purchase in terms of price and quality for the more casual
listener.